Attack

As the coffins were being lowered into the ground, a burst of gunfire was heard. At first, it was mistaken for the usual three-volley salute given at IRA funerals and some people even applauded. However, it was not a salute. A lone UDA member from East Belfast, Michael Stone, had infiltrated the crowd of mourners in an attempt to eliminate Sinn Féin leaders Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness with several RGD-5hand grenades and two handguns, a 9mm Browning Hi-Power semi-automatic pistol and a .357 Magnumrevolver. Stone killed three people: Catholic civilians Thomas McErlean (20) and John...Read More